It's hard to believe that Tom Stoppard was just 19 when he composed this sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious and always exceedingly clever play. Indeed it takes the hubris of a young man to deconstruct the Bard's most lauded masterpiece and use it to question the nature of life and death, but it is lucky for theatregoers that he did, because although it not the most cheery night out, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead is a joy to watch as it thoroughly wrings out the grey matter.

Confused and misused, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are bit players in Hamlet who've been engaged to bring the Dane out of his ever deepening madness. Raising the curtain on the backstage, they spend the time between their appearances bickering, tossing coins and attempting to pin down their greater purpose. As things darken in the court of Elsinore, they find themselves caught up in the action, but their odds to best the Bard and come out unscathed look increasingly smaller.

Daniel Radcliffe is fine as the dimwitted Rosencrantz, the kinder hearted foil to Joshua McGuire's soul-searching Guildenstern. Both are convincing and carry the dizzying back and forth of Stoppard's script well, but it is McGuire's embodiment of the beleaguered courtier that teases out the deeper meaning. He is forthright and frustrated, whilst delivering a relatable and incredibly funny performance. As the ebullient Player, leader of a band of actors who also inhabit Hamlet's sphere, David Haig provides a different view of their fate. Swashbuckling and gleeful, he lends the production a certain swagger, the very personification of being one of those players that all the world's a stage for.

Working in tandem with the wordy exploration of life, death and fate unknown, Anna Fleischle's sparse set utilises the entire space of the Old Vic stage, allowing tricks of perspective to mirror the characters state of mind as they seem to walk in the clouds, never quite finding stable ground.

It's a familiar feeling for me as this was only my second foray into the world of Stoppard, his multilayered approach takes some getting used to. It takes him to find your feet you can so as to truly appreciate his genius. This capable 50th anniversary production is perfect as an access point.

At the Old Vic until April 29th

Reviewed by Kitty
@ThisIsKittyMac